I have been sailing for more than 45 years and for the majority of the time I have sailed alone. Not because I am antisocial but because I enjoy the solitude and the freedom to sail whenever and wherever I choose. I have never wanted to cross an ocean or sail non-stop for days at a time to prove myself and be challenged by storms and high seas, just to modestly sail along the coast to another safe haven or make a short sea passage of no more than 60 miles. If you would like to sail single-handed, either for the same reasons or because you can’t always find crew, maybe some of my experience will be useful to you. Through this book I hope you will gain a little more confidence or try a new technique and make more passages alone. I have always been surprised by the lack of books covering this type of sailing. Most single-handed sailing books are about epic storm-lashed frightening long distance ocean voyages. They do make for exciting reading but do not help people like you or me with our type of sailing. Sailing alone is not that much different to sailing with crew in that the basic techniques of sailing and navigating are the same. The real difference is in the planning, preparation and details. I assume you can already sail and navigate! My book covers the following topics:- • Which boat is best? • Type of rig • Deck layout • Below-deck layout • Safety equipment • Organisation • Human limitations • Passage planning • Boat/sail handling • The essentials (legal stuff)

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Although the author states at the beginning that he assumes the readers have sailing experience I found this book extremely interesting and full of practical information even though I have had only one day sailing experience. It gives inspiration for future sailings once more training and experience is undertaken. It also gives practical guidance to those who act as crew members as some of the advice although aimed at solo sailors provides equally to crewed voyages.

I thoroughly recommend this book to all who have an interest in sailing.

This excellent book gives a comprehensive, informed and sensible account of solo sailing. In an accessible style, it covers all the key areas offering essential advice but also covering pros and cons of boats, equipment and actions so the thinking skipper can decide for himself or herself. It will be my reference text for the foreseeable future.

Good book with plenty of useful examples to consider, not long, you can finish it in one reading but well worth it. Focuses on the sort of coastal sailing most of us do rather than the ocean/long passages most of these type of books offer

Well written and comprehensive guide to single handed coastal sailing. Refreshing to find such genuinely useful guidance about less extreme single handed sailing! Having read Colin's book I set off with confidence for my first solo trip across the Solent and made it back to write this review!